Scientific
Committee
Shaping the Clinical Direction of SASS 2026
A multidisciplinary team of clinicians guiding a program grounded in real-world patient care, education, and system-level impact.
The SASS 2026 scientific programme is built on clinical experience, not theory alone.
Our Scientific Committee represents a collective of surgeons, stomaltherapists, and wound care specialists actively working within South Africa's healthcare system—shaping patient outcomes, training clinicians, and advancing standards of care.
This ensures that every session, discussion, and engagement is rooted in the realities of multidisciplinary practice.
Jolanda Janse van Noordwyk
The SASS 2026 programme is led by Jolanda Janse van Noordwyk, whose work spans clinical practice, education, and national advocacy in ostomy and wound care.
With over four decades of nursing experience across stomal therapy, advanced wound care, and multidisciplinary clinical environments, her work has consistently focused on improving patient outcomes through practical, system-aligned care.
She plays an active role in training the next generation of clinicians through her involvement in the University of the Free State stoma care programme, contributing to the development of specialised nursing capacity in South Africa.
As clinical lead for the award-winning SASSLink App, she continues to bridge the gap between clinical care, education, and digital health systems.
Her leadership also extends to the JJ van Noordwyk Stoma Nurse Bursary Fund, a strategic initiative addressing the critical shortage of specialised stoma nurses and strengthening long-term healthcare capacity.
Meet the Scientific Committee
A multidisciplinary team contributing to the development of a clinically relevant and collaborative programme.
